I finally got around to posting my September 2023 book reviews. A couple of days late, but better late than never, right?
I caught some virus late last month, and there were a few days I couldn’t even read more than a minute or two without getting tired. I’m better now thankfully, so let’s get back to business.
September was a good month, but somehow strange too. My work schedule changed, and the first few days I was mentally in Tuscany. For those of you who are new to my platform, I spent an amazing week in Tuscany in August with a bunch of wonderful women. Here’s the link to that blog post, if you’d like to hear about my much deserved vacation.
One Italian Summer – The Hypewit Experience
I have always been a workaholic, and this was my first real vacation since CoVid, so I enjoyed it to the max. But getting back to my regular routine was a little tough, to be honest.
Nonetheless, I managed to squeeze in six books, so I can’t complain.
As I said, it was an ok reading month, but I’ve had better.
Let me get right down to my September 2023 book reviews.
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Searle
Technically, I read this book last month, but since i didn’t give it a full review, i decided to talk about it now. Especially since we discussed it a bit more in-depth for my book club that took place in italy.
Click here for a synopsis:
One of the questions we discussed is how would we spend a day with the younger version of our mothers when they were in Positano? Needless to say, we all had various answers, but we all had a common theme. We wanted to do something we thought our mothers would enjoy, but never really got the chance to.
Also, we unanimously said that if we meet our younger version of our mothers, all of us would very likely become friends. I know for myself, I have lots of fun with my mother when we do outings such as shopping or traveling. As friends, without the mother-daughter expectations and pressures, we would get along very well.
It was a very interesting discussion where a few tears were shed. but they were joyful tears, I assure you. We shed some real tears on other occasions during that week though, but all of our experiences strengthened the bond we created.
I liked One Italian Summer very much. It is a fun read that will give you wanderlust for sure.
Sunshine Nails
I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria books for my advanced readers’ copy to read and review.
Sunshine Nails was an ok debut novel, but it wasn’t something I will run and recommend to everyone. Sure, if you’re looking for a lighthearted book that will help you escape a mundane routine, it will do the job. But don’t expect a five-star read.
It was actually very welcome after my return from Europe. Sunshine Nails follows the Tran family who immigrated from Vietnam and opened a nail salon in Toronto. It is told with a sharp sense of humor. With a cast of complicated characters, they all did gutsy but sometimes questionable things to keep their business and family together.
I gave it three stars on Goodreads.
The Silent Man by David Fennell
This is a book I read for a blog tour organized by Tracy Fenton from Compulsive Readers. Since I dedicated a whole post about it, I will link it for you to read.
Book Tour: The Silent Man by David Fennell
It is a great police procedural by a new-to-me author, but it is the third in the series. So it may be a good idea to start the series with the first book, The Art of Death, followed by See No Evil.
If you like the genre, I recommend this book without any reservations. A solid four stars for me.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
I was planning to read an Emily Henry book for the longest time, and I finally listened to this one on audio. It was ok, but nothing that I would rave about. Her writing is fine, the story is ok, but nothing extraordinary. The way some fellow bookstagrammers talk about her books, I must admit that I expected to be wowed. But I wasn’t.
Like I said, if you want a light rom-com with a friends-to-lovers trope, then pick it up. But it isn’t a must-read by any means.
I’m not an Emily Henry expert, but I did listen to another audiobook by her this month. Read on to find out which one.
The Woman Inside by M. T. Edvardsson
The author’s writing for this book is very similar to his debut novel, A Nearly Normal Family.
It centers around three main characters: Karla, Bill, and Jennika. The story is progressively told from their respective point of views.
The three of them are unlikable, shady characters. At times, they are downright insufferable.
Edvardsson tells the story in an unusual way, but it works for him. It all comes back and makes sense at the end.
I must admit, I did not see the twist coming, although I had some suspicions. That’s about as far as i’ll go, because i’ll ruin the book if i give more details. Trust me, if youre reading the book you’ll want to find out the ending for yourself.
I enjoyed this Nordic Noir book, although it isn’t as atmospheric or gruesome as most Scandinavian thrillers usually are.
I would recommend you start with this author if you’re not sure Nordic Noir is for you. He gives you a taste of the genre without too many dark, gritty details.
Killing Moon by Jo Nesbo
Thank you Netgalley and Knopf Publishers for my advanced readers’ copy.
This is the thirteenth book in the Harry Hole series. I still have from the 9th to the 12th to read, but I think for me, I’ve seen enough of the disgraced detective who is working as a consultant trope. It was ok for a book or two, but now most of the Nordic Noir authors are copying this trope and I’m tired of it.
The book itself was filled with the same action and atmospheric vibe Nesbo is so good at. But I was confused for a good part of the book because of the formatting issues. I even listened to it on audio, and honestly, that was even worse for me. I plan to read the three books before this one to see if it makes more sense that way, otherwise this is my last Harry Hole novel. Even if the author decides to continue with the series.
That being said, those of you who enjoy long series and rebellious, problematic detectives, then i recommend it. Otherwise, you can probably stop the series after the tenth book or so.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
I ended September with another light audiobook. I’m glad I gave Emily Henry another try, as I enjoyed Beach Read more than People We Meet on Vacation.
The characters are more likable and I enjoyed the storyline. Books about writers are typically something I enjoy, and this one was no exception. Although January’s meltdowns were a tad ridiculous, I enjoyed the lighthearted banter and internal dialogue.
Will it make my top ten of the year? Definitely not! DO i recommend it to someone who’s looking for a rom-com that will get them out of a reading rut? Yes, it will succeed in doing that.
I gave it four stars on Goodreads, but it’s probably a 3.75, rounded off.
Concluding Words
And this sums up my September 2023 book reviews. I’m planning to read lots of books in October, wish me luck. I always have ambitious lists, but I rarely get through them all. Maybe one day I’ll finally manage to succeed? Who knows! Until then, keep reading fellow bookworms.
